H.S. Insider: First Tristate Rising Sophomore Commits

IL High School Insider Joe Lombardi, the author of the “Lax with Joe” blog at LaxLessons.com, focuses on the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut tristate region. Joe is also an analyst for the MSG Varsity television networkand is the primary author of the new edition of “Lacrosse for Dummies,” which was released in 2010. You can follow Joe Lombardi on Twitter @joe_lombardi. You can follow LaxLessons on Twitter @LaxLessons.

It’s been a busy week for recruiting news, events and commitments in the tristate region.

The Maverick Showtime National Lacrosse Recruiting Spotlight completed its fifth year at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury.

This year, there were separate all-star games for rising seniors and rising juniors.

University of Maryland-bound Adam DiMillo of Buffalo, N.Y., was MVP of the rising junior game. Alex Concannon of Syosset (N.Y.) earned MVP honors in the rising sophomore game.

Another standout attackman with good size and stick skills, Jake Fox, an Orleans, Ontario native who plays at Trinity-Pawling in New York’s Hudson Valley, decided on Johns Hopkins.

“JHU offers a high level of academics and it’s the only school I looked at that had lacrosse as their No. 1 sport on campus,” Fox told LaxLessons.com. “I couldn’t be more excited to play for Coach (Dave) Pietramala.”

For a look at the other schools Fox considered, and his player profile, check the full LaxLessons.com story.

Ridgefield Standouts Make D-I Commitments

Two of the leading players from two-time Connecticut state finalist Ridgefield have made commitments.

Will Bonaparte, a rising junior midfielder, verballed to Maryland. He was also considering Johns Hopkins, Syracuse and Navy.

Smithtown West Stars Make Their Choices

Suffolk County (N.Y.) power Smithtown West also saw top of its top players make commitments.

Rising senior attackman Pat O’Brien decided on Army. For more on his commitment, check this story from LaxLessons.com.

Kyle Mathie became the Bulls’ fifth rising junior to make a D-I commitment when he verballed to North Carolina. Mathie is a defenseman/longstick midfielder.

“The main factors in my decision was the coaching staff, educational opportunities and support services,” Mathie told LaxLessons.com.

For a look at the other schools he considered and more, check the full LaxLessons story.

LI Showcase Hero Selects Marist

Midfielder Casey Hickey of Westhampton (N.Y.), who scored the game-winning goal for Suffolk in a 6-5 overtime win over Nassau in last month’s Rising Senior game at the Long Island Showcase, verballed to Marist.